Arizona football unveiled its first official depth chart of the season on Monday, answering a few of the questions that lingered throughout preseason camp.
There were not many major surprises, though, especially when carefully considering comments from coaches and players the last few weeks.
However, there was one very glaring observation: defensive depth.
The starting 11 listed on the defensive side of the ball displaces 63 career starts to the second team. That’s right, non-starters on defense have compiled 63 starts by themselves.
What that means is the defensive side of the ball has upgraded talent and significantly increased competition for starting positions. Both of those developments are very positive.
“It’s a completely different football team,” head coach Kevin Sumlin at his Monday press conference.
That holds true on the offensive side of the ball where Arizona’s offensive line is deeper and more experienced than it was entering the 2018 season. In fact, one of last year’s starting guards – Bryson Cain – is listed as a backup heading into Saturday. So indeed, there is more talent in the program while plenty of experience is sprinkled in at some key spots.
Other than that, there were few surprises to me in terms of individual position battles. A couple weeks ago I published my preseason player picks for MVPs, sleepers and other superlatives. I identified 26 players from freshmen to seniors, and all 26 appeared on today’s depth chart. So we already knew what we were working with at most positions.
Depth charts are largely overrated, and I have had the unique experience of compiling these depth charts for the program in recent seasons. Coaches are concerned with preparation and performance, not who is first or second team. The proof is in the pudding when the lights are on and the bullets start flying in games.
Even so, the first depth chart gets everyone on the same page with what coaches have seen the last three or four weeks. So now all Arizona fans have a feel for what things will look like Saturday night, and then we all get to start making our own judgments.
Let’s take a look at today’s depth chart by position (backups are italicized):
QUARTERBACK:
Khalil Tate; Rhett Rodriguez, Grant Gunnell
Not much surprise here. Khalil has earned the starting job and much of Arizona’s success this season will be based on his performance.
There also is little surprise in Rodriguez appearing as the second-string quarterback. Rodriguez has game experience (started at UCLA last year) and knows the system very well. If forced into action Saturday, Rodriguez is the best bet to keep the offense on track. Should there be a long-term injury or anything else affecting Tate’s status, I think competition would ramp up between Rodriguez and Gunnell especially as the latter continues to develop as a true freshman. But that bridge will be crossed if needed down the road. For now, if Arizona needs a quarterback to come off the bench during a game, I expect it to be Rodriguez.
RUNNING BACK
J.J. Taylor; Gary Brightwell, Bam Smith, Nathan Tilford, Michael Wiley
The question here is how many two-back sets do the Wildcats run and do they utilize any of these players in the slot? Taylor will be the featured back, while all four of the others listed are going to have their chances to carry the ball and earn more touches. This is a deep position and competition will make this unit strong
RECEIVERS
Outside: Drew Dixon OR Boobie Curry, Cedric Peterson; Stanley Berryhill III, Thomas Reid III, Tre Adams
Inside: Brian Casteel or Jamarye Joiner, Tayvian Cunningham, Jaden Mitchell
Peterson is the proven veteran on the outside, while Dixon has paid his dues and will have the opportunity to takeover as a key playmaker. Curry is an immensely talented freshmen and it’s little surprise he winds up as a co-starter. Depth at the outside will be provided by veterans Berryhill III and Reid III, while Adams adds another big target similar to Dixon and Curry.
On the inside, Casteel and Joiner are going to be fun to watch. Both are athletic and physical, and getting the ball to them in space is something Tate needs to do. Cunningham and Mitchell are youngsters that have drawn praise.
TIGHT ENDS
Bryce Wolma, Zach Williams
Everyone is looking for Wolma to have more of a presence in the passing game this season. How he is utilized, whether with a hand down or flexed out, will be interesting. Williams also is an athletic player that can bolster the passing game. He is a “tweener” in terms of his size right now, but his versatility can be an asset.
OFFENSIVE LINE
(LT-RT) Donovan Laie, Robert Congel, Josh McCauley, Cody Creason, Edgar Burrola OR Paiton Fears; Jordan Morgan, Josh Donovan, Steven Bailey, Bryson Cain
One of the answers today’s depth chart tipped off is that Congel has won the starting job at left guard. He is a player that came to Arizona as a center, and the program hoped to get a waiver for him to be eligible last season. That never came to fruition and now the Wildcats may benefit as Congel is a year older, stronger and has learned the guard position. He can still slide in and play center if McCauley would go down.
Not answered today is who will start at right tackle as Burrola and Fears are both list as co-starters. How offensive line coach Kyle DeVan works these two into the game will be something to keep an eye on. However, there is solid depth with eight to 10 players that coaches feel pretty good about. It will be important to keep experienced players like Laie, McCauley and Creason healthy to allow the less experienced players time to develop into their roles.
DEFENSIVE LINE
JB Brown, Myles Tapusoa, Trevon Mason and Jalen Harris; Kylan Wilborn, Finton Connolly, Mykee Irving, Justin Belknap
We will get an immediate answer on the impact JUCO transfers Tapusoa and Mason have as they both earned starting nods on the depth chart. This is a very positive development as it indicates both have been healthy and worked themselves into shape. There will still be plenty of rotation up front to keep them fresh, and I am curious to see if the staff foes deeper than Connolly and Irving inside. The second team unit has three players with extensive starting experience, which is the best indicator of upgraded talent, increased depth and healthy competition for playing time.
Linebackers
Colin Schooler, Tony Fields II OR Anthony Pandy; Day Day Coleman
No surprises here. The trio of Schooler, Fields II and Pandy is experienced and proven. Pandy has demonstrated more consistent play this offseason, which has earned him a co-starter spot on the depth chart. But we also know coaches will rotate these players much more this season to keep them fresh. Coleman is the fourth linebacker listed and he should see extensive action on special teams and as a backup to the trio in front of him. Sumlin also spoke highly of Derrion Clark, who did not appear on the depth chart, but should play special teams at a minimum this weekend.
SAFETIES
Spur: Tristan Cooper, Xavier Bell, Jaxen Turner
Bandit: Christian Young, Troy Young, Chacho Ulloa
Free: Scottie Young Jr., Jarrius Wallace
This is pretty much the depth chart we expected at these spots. Cooper and Bell both have experience at the Spur, where Turner is also listed as a true freshman. Christian Young gets the deserved nod at bandit, with Troy Young settling in as the backup after splitting time at corner last season and through some of the offseason. Troy Young is a physical presence and could emerge as a playmaker back at his natural safety spot. At the free, Young Jr. and Wallace are plenty experienced.
CORNERBACKS
Boundary: Jace Whittaker, Christian Roland-Wallace
Field: Lorenzo Burns, Samari Springs
Let’s hope that Whittaker and Burns can both have healthy seasons. They were surprisingly stout tandem two seasons ago, and both had injury issues a year ago, most notably Whittaker. Behind them are two bigger frames in freshman Roland-Wallace and Springs. Roland-Wallace looks to have a bright future and was here for spring ball. Springs is a transfer that has really stood out in practices. Even with the experienced Whittaker and Burns, Arizona will likely test some of its depth here especially if coverages are man-heavy. The Wildcats started playing more man-to-man a year ago, and with confidence growing with the defensive line, it should be something we see frequently this season.
KICKING UNITS
PK: Lucas Havrisik, Nathan Halsell
P: Matt Aragon, Kyle Otendorp
LS: Donald Reiter, Seth MacKeller
H: Matt Aragon, Rhett Rodriguez
Indications are starters Havrisik and Aragon have solidified their roles. Havrisik will get full-time duty as the kickoff and place-kicker, and needs to show his development with consistency on short-range kicks. Everyone knows his big leg. Aragon has dramatically improved at punter, but he simply needs to be effective. Hopefully he won’t be relied on often. Reiter is a solid snapper, and Aragon and Rodriguez are suitable at holder.
RETURNERS
KOR: J.J. Taylor, Gary Brightwell, Jamarye Joiner, Christian Roland-Wallace
PR: Brian Casteel OR Stanley Berryhill III
Not many answers yet, and I am very curious who is back to return kicks and punts. Taylor will be the primary kick returner, but who goes back with him? Brightwell, Joiner and Roland-Wallace are all candidates. I would like to see Roland-Wallace get some chances at some point. For punts, Casteel and Berryhill III are listed as co-starters. The key here is catch the ball, always. As first-timers, this will be an interesting role to keep an eye on.
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